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BREAKTHROUGH ACTS When we get to this point next year and look back at the comedy highlights of 2011, no doubt much talk will be of the supergigs. John Bishop, Jimmy Carr, Russell Howard, Peter Kay, Lee Evans, Lenny Henry, John Cleese (yes, that John Cleese), Jason Manford and Alan Carr are all dropping towards our central belt during their big fat national tours. But who are the acts that for now remain relative secrets to the gen pub, but in five years time might be recovering from twitter sex scandals and/or touring to keep up with their maintenance payments? These days a spot on that McIntyre show is one clear leg-up to the
next level (our own Kevin Bridges is testament to that), so assuming it returns for a third series in 2011, keep a very close eye on those line- ups. For the local talents, the likes of Mark Nelson, Scott Agnew, Davey See, Jay Lafferty and Teddy have the talent to go far, but they also need luck and opportunity on their side. Away from stand-up, blokey sketch group How Do I Get Up There? is definitely one to watch while The Broken Windows Policy will hopefully resist making another name change.
After Edinburgh Fringe success in 2010, a strong follow-up will be expected from Edinburgh Comedy Awards Best Newcomer Roisin Conaty, while of those she left behind on the shortlist, Imran Yusuf looks set for hugeness and sketch guys Late Night Gimp Fight can be relied upon to create a few gory headlines. Those who also made impressions here in August and could go massive in ‘11 are physical, observational comic Seann Walsh (a kind of groggier McIntyre), Unexpected Items (their ‘Gap Yah’ skit is proving rather popular on the old internet), poetry-storytelling guys Tim Clare and Ross Sutherland, slick/sick sketch act Addicted to Danger, fast-talking Irish wag Abie Philbin Bowman and Welsh manchild Elis James. (Brian Donaldson)
Events are listed by date, then city. Submit listings at least 14 days before publication to comedy@list.co.uk. Listings are compiled by Siân Bevan. ✽✽ Indicates Hitlist entry
Thursday 6 Glasgow The Thursday Show The Stand, 333 Woodlands Road, 0844 335 8879. 8.30pm. £8 (£7; members £4). Thursdays sparkle with the joy of a looming Friday and a cheaper night to
catch the weekend’s line-up. This week is headed up by comedy steadfast Tony Burgess, with Steven Dick, Debra Jane Appelby, Derek Johnston and host Bruce Devlin. Edinburgh The Thursday Show The Stand, 5 York Place, 558 7272. 9pm. £8 (£7; members £4). The weekend arrives again – thank Elvis they haven’t got rid of them yet – and there are some fine comedians to cheer you up: Tony Law, Scott Agnew, Gordon Alexander, Raymond Mearns and the weird and wonderful world of Jo Enright.
Friday 7
Glasgow highlight Comedy Highlight, UGC Building, 11 Renfrew Street, 0844 844 0044. 8pm. £12. Every weekend those nice people at highlight give you comedy, served with pub grub if you wish and entrance to Club Risa after the show. Champion. Patrick Rolink joins Steve Harris and Des Clarke for the weekend. The Friday Show The Stand, 333 Woodlands Road, 0844 335 8879. 8.30pm. £10 (£9; members £5). See Thu 6. Edinburgh highlight Comedy Highlight, Omni Centre, Greenside Place, 0844 844 0044. 8.30pm. £13. Weekends are jacked full of comedy, with hot food available before, dancing afterwards and filthy, dirty comedy inbetween. This batch of funnies is headed up by legend Stu Who? with help from Billy Kirkwood and Kai Humphries. The Friday Show The Stand, 5 York Place, 558 7272. 9pm. £10 (£9; members £5). See Thu 6. Upstairs @ The Beehive Beehive Inn, 18 Grassmarket, 225 7171. 9pm. £5. The weekend offering from the Fit O’The Giggles crew, with a jammed line-up of their favourite comedians. MC Keara Murphy introduces headliner Graeme Thomas, with support from Alan Sharp, Paul Cronin and John Purves.
Saturday 8
Glasgow highlight Comedy Highlight, UGC Building, 11 Renfrew Street, 0844 844 0044. 8pm. £12. See Fri 7. The Saturday Show The Stand, 333 Woodlands Road, 0844 335 8879. 9pm. £13. See Thu 6. Edinburgh highlight Comedy Highlight, Omni Centre, Greenside Place, 0844 844 0044. 8.30pm. £13. See Fri 7. The Saturday Show The Stand, 5 York Place, 558 7272. 9pm. £13. See Thu 6. Upstairs @ The Beehive Beehive Inn, 18 Grassmarket, 225 7171. 9pm. £5. See Fri 7.
Sunday 9
Glasgow Michael Redmond’s Sunday Service The Stand, 333 Woodlands Road, 0844 335 8879. 8.30pm. £5 (£4; members £1). This week brings a mellow line-up to match the mellow host with Steven Dick, Jeff O’Boyle, Phil O’Shea, Ray Bradshaw and Julia Sutherland.
Edinburgh ✽✽ FREE Whose Lunch Is It Anyway? The Stand, 5 York Place, 558 7272. 1.30pm. Stu and Garry present their improv-ing (rather than improving: they’re already pretty darn good) skills to cheer up your afternoon. It’s free to get in, there’s a decent menu on offer and you might even find a bar. The Sunday Night Laugh-In The Stand, 5 York Place, 558 7272. 8.30pm. £5 (£4; members £1). Jill Peacock and Rick Molland are on the bill here alongside Richard Melvin and compere Scott Agnew.
Monday 10 Edinburgh Fit O’ The Giggles Out With The Old Beehive Inn, 18 Grassmarket, 225 7171. 8pm. £2 (£1). Your dearest, darlingest local comedians test-run their new gags and routines. Red Raw The Stand, 5 York Place, 558 7272. 8.30pm. £2 (£1). Scotland’s finest beginner’s showcase, featuring a packed bill of hopeful new talent and more experienced hands trying their latest routines. Sympathy is laughter’s best friend, so be nice. With Billy Kirkwood and Michael J Dolan.
Comedy
✽✽ HITLIST
THE BEST COMEDY
✽✽ Whose Lunch Is It Anyway? Stu and Garry (or messrs Murphy and Dobson if you prefer formality) raise the new year spirits with some free laughs as they do their improv thing. The Stand, Edinburgh, Sun 9 Jan. ✽✽ How Do I Get Up There? Sketch fare at its finest from this ever-rising troupe. The Stand, Glasgow, Wed 12 Jan. ✽✽ Half Price Comedy Club This is your chance to see the newly crowned Scottish Comedian of the Year, Ro Campbell. Who is, em, Australian. Uisge Beatha, Glasgow, Sat 15 Jan. ✽✽ Andrew O’Neill Everyone’s favourite ‘occult comedian’ spins his ouija board of wit. See 5 Things. The Stand, Edinburgh, Tue 18 Jan.
Tuesday 11
Glasgow FREE Comedy at the Halt Bar The Halt Bar, 160 Woodlands Road, 352 9996. 8.30pm. A platform for the new generation of comedians in Scotland to flex their funny muscles. Red Raw The Stand, 333 Woodlands Road, 0844 335 8879. 8.30pm. £2 (£1). Gavin Webster and Michael J Dolan help along the newbies this evening. Edinburgh Midweek Comedy Cabaret The Stand, 5 York Place, 558 7272. 8.30pm. £4 (£2). A perk to the middle of your week. Line-up to be announced.
Wednesday 12
Glasgow ✽✽ How Do I Get Up There? The Stand, 333 Woodlands Road, 0844 335 8879. 8.30pm. £5 (£4; members £2.50). The dreadfully exciting sketch team’s latest skits. With host Jeff O’Boyle. Edinburgh Melting Pot The Stand, 5 York Place, 558 7272. 8.30pm. £5 (£4; members £2.50). New sketches from local writers.
Thursday 13 Glasgow The Thursday Show The Stand, 333 Woodlands Road, 0844 335 8879. 8.30pm. £8 (£7; members £4). Mark Maier joins the utterly charming Steve Day, with Kim MacAskill and host Scott Agnew.
6–20 Jan 2011 THE LIST 43